Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) January 08, 2014 -- Project Quit, a part of the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline, an online community of Arizonans trying to quit tobacco use, is kicking off the year in partnership with Vestar centers across the Valley. The goal is to help and encourage the many Arizonans who will make quitting the use of tobacco their New Year’s resolution.
“We’re supportive of Project Quit and their effort to help people who are ready to quit tobacco,” said Denise Hart Neff, Vice President of Marketing at Vestar. “We take pride in creating places where people come together and this event is unique in that it will be for our customers but also for our tenants and their employees.”
“Quitting is no easy task, it takes the right counseling and services. Equally important is community and peer support,” said Courtney Ward, Chief, Office of Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, Arizona Department of Health Services. “This partnership with Vestar is the type collaboration that can help us to continue to reduce smoking rates in our state, we are delighted to jump start this community outreach effort with them.”
The addictive nature of nicotine makes quitting an extremely difficult task. Many will make quitting their New Year’s resolution, the entire month could be referred to as the ‘season for quitting’. To that end, Project Quit introduces a concierge-like service at Vestar malls, which will help tobacco users to be referred directly to the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline to enroll in quit tobacco services. Project Quit representatives will also offer useful tips and tools including a ‘Quit Journey Kit’, instructions on how-to download the free Call It Quits App and details about personalized support on http://www.projectquitaz.com, available now.
Because peer-to-peer and community support is key, people will be able share their stories, whether they are former smokers, current smokers or want to record a message for a loved one who is trying to quit. The stories of the four Arizonans featured in a local public service campaign can be seen now on http://www.projectquitaz.com and Project Quit seeks additional stories for this effort. The Project Quit schedule follows:
-Sat., Jan. 11, 2014, Christown Spectrum Mall, 1703 W. Bethany Home Road, Phx., 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
-Sat., Jan. 18, 2014, Mesa Grand, 1955 S. Stapley Drive, Mesa, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
-Sat., Jan. 25, 2014, Westgate Entertainment District, 6770 N Sunset Blvd, Glendale, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment with a Quit Coach, contact the ASHLine at 1-800-55-66-222, or visit http://www.projectquitaz.com.
Contact: Ben Palmer, Arizona Department of Health Services, 602-364-0829, palmerb(at)azdhs(dot)gov
Christina Borrego, Riester, +1 6027215779, [email protected]
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